The Austin Aztex are just awaiting confirmation from the United Soccer Leagues to announce the schedule for their inaugural season in USL-1. What we do know: The five-month, 30-game schedule will run mid-April through mid-September; with 11 teams in the league, the Aztex will face each other team three times, in addition to U.S. Open Cup games and exhibition games – some of which will be announced early next week. All games will be at Nelson Field, mostly on weekend evenings. More info at www.austinaztex.com.
Meanwhile, the Aztex announced a major signing today, English striker Gifton Noel-Williams, a powerful 28-year-old who’s been the leading scorer at both Stoke City and Watford, in a 10-year pro career in England and Spain. Aztex President Phil Rawlins said he expects him to be “a ‘franchise’ player.” … The Aztex hold their final public tryouts Feb. 7-8 at St. Edward’s University. Deadline to apply online: Jan. 19.
The holiday season was a tough one for the Aztex English affiliate, Stoke City; see below.
The holiday season was a tough one for the Aztex English affiliate, Stoke City: Three straight losses – culminating in star striker Ricardo Fuller getting tossed from a game for slapping his own captain, Andy Griffin – dropped the Potters to 18th place in the league, and they got knocked out of the FA Cup, losing 2-0 to third-division Hartlepool. Crisis point in the season. Stoke-Liverpool is on Fox Soccer Channel, Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11:30am. Then on Sunday, Chelsea-Man U, 10am, and Roma-Milan, 1:30pm.
The local high school soccer season started this week, as schools returned from the winter break.
The U.S. Men’s 2009 schedule was released this week – highlighted by a 10-game World Cup qualifying campaign, plus the Confederations Cup in June against Italy, and Brazil, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.
This article appears in 2008.